Label-cutting machine.



M. H. BALLARD. LABEL CUTTING -MA-cHmE.

,STATES PATENT oEEIcE.

l MILTON H. BALLARD, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, VASSIGNOIB. TRIP? FRUIT WRAP- PING MACHINE COMPANY, OI SAN FRANCISCO,` CALIFORNIA, A. CORPORATION Ol' j MAINE.

i LABEL-CUTTING Speeication of Letten Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

i applicativa alec April 15, 1911. serial ne. salme.

To allfwho'm, it may concern:

Beit known that I, MmmN H. Batman, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a' new and useful Improvement in Label- Cutting Machines, of lwhich. the `following is a specification, .accompanied by drawmgs, forming' a part o f the same.

My invention relates -to a machine for cutting labels or similar articles, from A,a

homogeneous fibrousv material, such, for example, as paper, cardboard, or similar material. Y

The' objects of my invention are to provide a machine for rapidly producing a series of labels from a continuous strip of paper, with the individual labels preferably connected so as to form a continuous strip of completed labels' which may be ksevered to form individual labels; to provide means for forming theoutline of the labelsY in curved, serpentme, or other fanciful forms; to provide means for securing 1a predetermined spacing of the labels in the continuous strip in order to enable the strip of labelsy tobe subsequently fed with accurate registration to a label aflixing or label printin' mechanism; to produce a sharply de outline of the labels Vfrom a fibrous material, -such as paper, or cardboard, without Vrequlring the material 'to be completel severed; to avoid the undue dulling 'ci the cutting mechanism; to accomplish the separation of the side strips or waste from the strip of labels; and to relieve the strip of completed labels from any injurious strains incident to the operation of cutting the labels or separating the side strips therefrom; and these objects, among others, I accomplish by means of the construction and` arrangement of parts as hereinafter described, the novel features being pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a label cutting machine containing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the' machine. Fig. 2 i's a plan view with the bed .roll removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical, central, longitudinal, sectional view. Fig. 4 is an edge view of the label cutting dievwith one half shown in central sectional lview. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the separating mechanism for removing the' side or waste section.

inclosing vertical slots 3,

strips, and a strip of labels shown Flg. 6 1s a rear view of a portion of the separating device partly shown in Fig. 7 represents a series of completed labels in a continuous strip.4 Fig. 8 60 reprents a portion of the continuous strip of paper or other material, from which the labels are cut, the labels to be formed therefrom by the machine represented in the indicated by broken lines. lmilar reference iigures refer to similar parts in the different views.

e machine represented in the accomdrawings 1s designed for producing circular or Ydisk shaped labels, although other shapes can be produced if desired. L

` In the drawings, 1 denotes a framework up on which the operativevparts of the mae are mounted, comprlsing posts 2, 2,

3, in which are placed the boxes 4 for the cutting roll, and the vertically movable boxes 5 for the bed roll. The boxes 4 rest upon the bottom of the slots 3 and the boxes 4 and 5 are sepa- Y rated by .spiral springs 6, which are prefer- 8.0 ably supported in proper position by pins 7 andV 8 held in the boxes and entering for a short distance the opposite ends of the springs 6. Journaled 1n the lowermost box -4 is a spindle 9 upon'which the rotating cut- 8 5 ter-1s mounted, and journaled in the box 5 .1s aspindle 10 upon which the bed roll is mounted, and the desired distance between the axes of the spindles 9 and 10 is maintainem12 by adjusting screws 11 held in the 9.0 caps The die forming or cutting roll 13 is composed of a pair of preferably separable disks 14 and 15, having 1n the present instance an interposed spacing disk 16, all being clamped by bolts 17 to a collar 18 which is carried by the spindle 9. The peripheries of the disks 14 and 15 are suitably-shaped to produce the desired form of the label. In the present instance the peripheries of the disks 14 and 100 15 are provided with a series of semicircular convolutions 19 and 20. The outer edges of the disks 14 and 15 are ground to a true circle 21 concentric with the axis of the spindle -9. Mounted upon the spindle 10 is 105 a bed roll 22, preferably of hardened steel, and having its face 23 ground to a true circle concentric with the axis of the spindle 10. The spindle 9 is held in a fixed position in the boxes 4, and the position of the spindle 11.0

of the spindle 9 by means of the adjustin screws 11, so that the circular edges 21 o the cutting `roll 13 and the face 23 of the bed roll 22 will rotate with true relation to each other, and preferably slightly separated, or if in contact, in such delicate contact that the cuttingroll 13 is relieved ofI pressure against the surface of the bed roll, when the two yare rotating freely without an interposed material between them.

Mounted upon the framework 1 is a guide 24, by which a strip of' paper, cardboard, or

similar material 25 (Fig. 1) is conductedbetween the cutting roll 13 and bed roll 22, and in a plane tangential to the peripheries of the cutting and bed rolls. After passing between the cutting roll 13 and bed roll 22 the strip of material is conducted through Aa guide 26 to the mechanism for separating the side or waste strips 27 from the continuous strip of labels 28 (Fig. 5).

,The guides 24 and 26 consist of a narrow metal plate 29 having its edges turned overl to form lips 30 to inclose the edgesof the continuous strip 25. The plate 29 is preferably a continuous plate and that portion between4 the guides 24 and 26 is contracted in width at 31 to allow it to pass between the cutting edges of the disks 14 and 15 forming an elastic or yielding support for the strip of material to be cut, by which the latter is held against the face ofthe bed roll 22. The plate 29 is attached at one end to a fixed framework 32, and at the opposite end it is attached by arms 33 to the frame 1 forming a support for the continuous strip of material to be cut, and by means of the upturned lips 30, providing guides behind and in front of the cutting roll to maintain the proper alinement of the continuous strip to be cut.

In front of the cutting mechanism I place a mechanism for separating the side' or waste strips 27 from the strip 28 of cut labels. The strip separating mechanism also serves the purpose of severing any connecting fibers between the strips 27 and 28 which may pass the cutting mechanism without being separated thereby. The separating mechanism comprisesa roll-34 carrled on a spindle 35 journaled in the framework 1 and carrying on its periphery bands 36 of rubber, leather, or suitable material to prof vide a friction surface. A space 37 is left between the friction bands 36 to receive the contracted section 38 of the label supporting plate 29 where it passes over the roll 3 4.

Bearing against the friction bands 36 a're the rolls 39, 39, carried upon a spindle 40, journaled in boxes 41, heldfin ways 42 of the framework. The rolls 39 are vspaced apart sufficiently to allow the continuous strip of labels to yass between them. As the strip 28 passes etween the rolls 39 the [labels aresupported upon the plate 29, from which the continuous strip 28 of labels is conducted to a winding drum44, which is rotated by any known friction driving device suitable to cause the strip 28 to be wound as fast as delivered from the cutting mechanism, with a tension sufficient to support the' weight of atake-up roll y45, journaled in the free end of the swinging arms 46 pivoted to-the sides of the frame 1. A suicient tension upon the strip 28 is maintained to enable it to resist any strains incident to the operation of the separating mechanism.

The separation of the side or waste strips 27 is accomplished by deiiecting them downward betweenthe friction bands 36 and the rolls 39 causing the side strips 27 to bel the side strips 27 are held by the rolls 39,.

while the continuous strip` 28 of labels is.

conducted overthe plate 29 to the winding mechanism. The forward movement of the' label stri 28 and the downward movement of the si e strips 27 under suitable tensions ration of the side strips, except at those has been found suiiicient to cause the sepaportions where the sharp rentering angles form the points 47, 47 on the'side strips. In order to produce the separation 'of the points 47 without injury to the labels I provide means for imparting a :sidewise strain or one'transverse to the continuous strip of labels by formingupon the plate 29 at its contracted section 38, and a short distance in front of the center ofthe roll 34, the triangular laterally extended wings 48, 48, with their* tips slightly beveled upon the upper side.

As the strip 28 of labels moves forward beyond the highest point of the bands 36 the points 47 ofthe side stripes 27 are carried over the wings 48, and as the strips 27 are drawn downward their points 47 are drawn sidewise over the beveled surfaces of the wings 48, causin a lateral separation betweenl the points 4 and the connecting necks 49 of the-labels, thereby producing a complete severance of any connecting fibers of the material.

-The engagement of the rentrant angles of the cutting disks v14 and 15 with the material to 4be cut is 'sufficient to provide a feeding device by which the continuous strip 25 of material may be drawn from a coil, but tensions are applied to the strip 25 after it passes the cutting mechanism by means of the rolls 39 and 34 between which the side strips 27 pass, and this tension `maylio ' if necessary,

` continuous strip of material to lof the rolls as the interposed v out, and I am also able to maintain a very vsaid cutting and bed rolls :tangential thereto, i said cutting and bed rolls substantially tanmamas forded by the friction bands The pressure of the rolls 39 against the side strips '27 as .they pass over the friction bands 36 1s a yieldlng pressure exerted by a pair of spiral springs -50 interposed between the boxes 41 of the spindle 40 and a plate 51 justment of the springs 50 the tension uponV the continuous strip as it is delivered by the maybe accurately and and may be increased,

cutting mechanism delicately adjusted sliding movement 'of the continuous strip 25 as it passes through the cutting mechanism, the sliding movement of the strip occurring at such portions as a line of cleavage is parallel with the directiai of its motion. By this adjustment of the tension I am able to cause an exact registration of the labels or, in other words, produce a definite number of labels for a given lengthv of the continuous strip 25.

By separating the cutting and bed rolls by springs 6, I prevent any jumping action material runs accurate adjustment between the peripheries of the cutting and bed rolls.

Power is imparted bymeans of a belt pulley 55 attached to a sleeve 56, journaled in a stud 57 held in the frame 1. The sleeve 56 carries a pinion 58 which engages a gear 59 on the sp1ndle9 of the cutting roll. The

spindle 9 of the cutting roll is provided with a ianged belt pulley 60 having a belt connection with a anged pulley 61 on the spindle 35, by which power is imparted to the separating roll 34. I claim,

1. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll by which a longitudinal movement kis imparted to a continuous strip of materialto be cut, of a supporting plate for said strip leading to said cutting and bed rolls'and substantially tangential thereto, said plate having side lips forming a guide for the strip.

2. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll, of a guide plate leading to and substantially and a guide leading from gential to said cutting roll and at an angle to the plane of said first guide plate.

3. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll, of a guide for conducting a be cut to said rolls, .a second guide in frontof said rolls, and a connecting plate between said guides passing between said rolls.

`4. The combination with a cutting roll in order to produce a slight and a bed roll, of an elastic yielding plate passlng between said rolls and beneath the continuous strip of whereby said strip is roll.

5. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll, of a. guide, a separating material to be cut, held against said bed mechanism for separating the severed strips, Y

and an inclined guide between said. cutting roll and said separating mechanism, said guide being tangential to said cutting roll,

andat an angle to the line of feed to said cutting roll. f

6. The combination with a rotary cutting mechanism capable of imparting a longitudinal'movement to -a continuous4 strip of material to be cut, of a guide in front of said cutting mechanism, and means for vimparting a longitudinal tension to the continuous strip in said guide.

7. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll for acting upon a continuous strip of material, of means for applying a longitudinal tension to said strip as it leaves said rolls.

8. The combination anism for acting upona continuous strip of material in the direction of its length, of means for applying tension to said continuous strip while engaged by said cuttingI mechanism. A

9. The combination With a bed roll having a 'plain cylindrical surface, of a cutting roll provided with two continuous periph- 'eral cutting edges slightly separated from osaid bed roll but coperating therewith to paper strip passing between nearly sever a said rolls, means for conducting a strip of paper `to said rolls, and means for conducting a strip of paper from said rolls, saidv conducting means being in alinement and in a vertical plane at right angles with the axes of said rolls.

10. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll havingvtheir peripheries rotatable in adjacent circular paths but withoutv pressure between them, of means for' conducting a continuous strip of material to be cut to said rolls in a plane substantially tangential to the peripheries of said rolls and means for conducting the continuous strip from -said cutting roll in a plane tangential to said cutting to said first conducting means.

11. The combination with a cutting roll and a bed roll havingtheir peripheries rotatable in adjacent circular paths but without pressure between them, of means for conducting avcontinuous strip of material to be cut, to said rolls in 'a plane substantially tangential .to the peripheries of said rolls, means for conducting the continuous strip from said cutting roll in a plane tangential to said cutting roll but at an angle to said first conducting means, and means forimwith cutting mech- A roll but at an angle parting a longitudinal tension `to the strip of paper as it passes between said rolls.

12. The combination of a bed roll and a coperating roll having continuous peripheral cutting edges rotating out of contact with said bed roll, means for conducting a strip of material'between said rolls, and means for increasing the speed of the strip of material, independently of the peripheral speed of said cutting edges.

13. The combination of a cutting mechanism for forming a multiplicityk of strips from a single strip of material, means for imparting a ylongitudinal tension to the central strip, and means for imparting a combined longitudinal and transverse tension to the outer strip.

14. The combination of a cutting mechanism, means for imparting a longitudinal tension to a continuous strip as it leaves the cutting mechanism, and means for varying said tension.

15. In a cutting` mechanism for acting upon a continuous strip of material to be out in the direction of its length, means for imparting different longitudinal tensions to thel different strips formed by the cutting mechanism.

16. The combination with a cutting mechanism forfactingupon a continuous strip of material in the direction of its length, whereby longitudinal strips are formed, of a separating mechanism for separating said longitudinal strips, comprising means for imparting longitudinal tension to the central strip, and means for imparting a trans- .anism for forming three longitudinal strips in a continuous strip of material, of a guide plate for supporting the central strip formed in said continuous strip, means for delecting the side strips into a different plane, and wings projecting from said guide plate over which portions of said side strips are drawn by their delection,'thereby imparting a transverse movement thereto.

19. Theicombinationyof a mechanism for partially severing a continuous strip of material into a 'central strip and two outer side strips, means for imparting a longitudinal tension to said central strip independently of said side strips, and means for imparting tensions to said side strips to complete their thin separation from said central strip.

Dated this fourteenth day of April 1911.

MILTON H. BALLARD.

Witnesses:

PnNELorE COMBERBAGH, NELLIE WHALEN, 

